Lancashire Evening Post

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_{Posted 12th Jun 2009}

A heartbroken dad today told of his desperate search for his teenage son just hours before he was found hanged yards from his home.
The body of Kieren Whalley, 17, was discovered in woodland after he went missing from his Lostock Hall home.

A heartbroken dad today told of his desperate search for his teenage son just hours before he was found hanged yards from his home.
The body of Kieren Whalley, 17, was discovered in woodland after he went missing from his Lostock Hall home.

It is thought the former Preston College student may have killed himself over worries about an upcoming court case.

Today, his dad Phil, 36, a supervisor at Leyland Trucks, paid an emotional tribute to his tragic son who was found dead on June 5.

He said: "Your job is to look after kids – nobody wants their kids to go on drugs or hang around with gangs. I feel devastated.

"We remember him playing around the streets. He liked his music and rave stuff. He had some record decks and used to play on those.

"He was always laughing and smiling. He never took life seriously until recently – he was always playing with the kids and having a laugh with them."

Mr Whalley, of Lostock View, said his son left Astley Park School in Chorley last June but was unsuccessful on an army training course though went on to study English at Preston College.

But he said he noticed a change in his son's personality after being connected in a robbery which he says led to his son being intimidated by gang members.

Kieren was due in court on June 23 on a charge of robbery but had been placed on a curfew order, banning him from leaving his home after 7pm.

Mr Whalley added: "I saw him last at around 6.30pm on Thursday – I just remember seeing him in the house and he was really pale.

"I thought he was upstairs and I was on the computer at about 8pm. I looked in his room and went down to the neighbouring field and couldn't find him. I walked about 10 metres and if I had gone further, I would have seen him."

Kieren was found at 8am the next morning hanging from a tree.

The family later found out how days before his death Kieren was asking siblings how to tie a noose.

Dozens of messages have been left online in tribute with video messages posted on YouTube and a memorial tribute on gonetoosoon.org.

On the Lancashire Evening Post's memorial site, a message by Anneliese Maire Atherton reads: "Kieren, you will be missed so very much – you have been taken from your life far too soon, still can't believe it. May you rest in peace."

Kieren leaves behind his dad Philip, step-mum Beth, brother Jack and step-siblings Paddy, James, Evie, Shaun, Karl, Chloe, Mark, Charlotte, Thomas and Oliver.

His funeral will take place at the Charnock Richard Crematorium on Monday (June 15) from 2.15pm. Donations are being accepted on behalf of the NSPCC. A file on Kieren's death has been passed to HM Coroner.

» See Also: http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Father39s-anguished-search-for-tragic.5362662.jp